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  • Cycle of Abuse

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    kelsey lanza
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    The document describes the cycle of abuse that can occur in abusive relationships, outlining the typical phases of tension building, an explosion of abuse, a honeymoon period of apologies and promises from the abuser, and then a return to tension building. It notes that this cycle can happen hundreds of times or not at all, and that the phases vary in length from days to years, with the abuse typically escalating over time without intervention. The cycle increases the woman's fear and causes her to minimize the abuse in order to survive while also negatively impacting any children who may witness the abuse.

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    The document describes the cycle of abuse that can occur in abusive relationships, outlining the typical phases of tension building, an explosion of abuse, a honeymoon period of apologies and promises from the abuser, and then a return to tension building. It notes that this cycle can happen hundreds of times or not at all, and that the phases vary in length from days to years, with the abuse typically escalating over time without intervention. The cycle increases the woman's fear and causes her to minimize the abuse in order to survive while also negatively impacting any children who may witness the abuse.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    9 views1 page

    Cycle of Abuse

    Uploaded by

    kelsey lanza
    The document describes the cycle of abuse that can occur in abusive relationships, outlining the typical phases of tension building, an explosion of abuse, a honeymoon period of apologies and promises from the abuser, and then a return to tension building. It notes that this cycle can happen hundreds of times or not at all, and that the phases vary in length from days to years, with the abuse typically escalating over time without intervention. The cycle increases the woman's fear and causes her to minimize the abuse in order to survive while also negatively impacting any children who may witness the abuse.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 1

    519-941-HELP

    905-584-HELP
    1-800-265-9178
    TTY: 519-942-1651

    ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

    The Cycle of Abuse


    The Cycle of Abuse can happen
    hundreds of times, once or not at all
    in an abusive relationship.

    Tension Building Each stage lasts a different amount


    Honeymoon Phase Minor incidents of of time. The total cycle can take
    Abuser attempts to physical/emotional abuse
    “make up” for behaviour Victim: anywhere from a few days, weeks
    • apologies, promises to change,
    gifts
    • feels tension growing
    • tries to keep the abuser calm
    or even a year to complete.
    • “walking on eggshells”

    • If there is no intervention, the


    abuse can become worse and
    happen more frequently as the
    years continue.

    • In this cycle, women’s fears


    Explosion
    Abuse, attacks, & increase, they lose personal power
    threats occur
    • abuser seems out of control
    and control, and they minimize and
    • shortest stage but becomes deny the abuse in order to survive.
    worse and happens more often
    as time passes

    Phase Abuser May: Woman May: Effect on Children:


    Tension Building • Pick fights • Feel like she’s walking • Modify behaviour to avoid
    May include: pressure from • Act jealous & possessive on eggshells anger
    others: bill collectors, • Criticize, threaten • Try to reason with/calm/ • Manipulate either parent for
    parents, pressure about • Use alcohol, drugs appease abuser own benefit
    money. • Be moody, unpredictable • Keep silent, keep • Assume parental role
    children quiet • Use drugs, alcohol
    • Feel afraid or anxious • Run away to escape
    Explosion • Blame victim for provoking • Experience fear, shock • May get hurt trying to
    May include: actual abuse • Protect self/children intervene
    physical/sexual violence, • Increase control over money • Use self-defense • Attempt to hide and be frantic
    increased verbal abuse, • Restrain partner • Call for help • Display acting out behaviour
    threats of harm to children, • Destroy property • Try to flee, leave • Become clingy or withdrawn
    pets, parents, belongings • Assault/abuse physically, • Pray for it to stop
    verbally, sexually, • Do what is necessary to
    emotionally survive
    Honeymoon • Ask for forgiveness • Forgive • May be unable to believe in or
    Abuser apologizes, looks • Promise it won’t happen • Return home trust either the victim or
    for forgiveness, manipulates again • Arrange for counselling abuser
    victim to “make up”, makes • Stop using drugs, alcohol • Feel hopeful • Blame
    promises (get counselling, • Be affectionate • Feel manipulated
    stop drinking, go to church, • Initiate intimacy • Blame self
    change behaviour) • Minimize or deny abuse • Minimize or deny abuse
    Peace, even keel, etc.

    March 2006 www.familytransitionplace.ca

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